Heisman Watch (Early Prediction)

Now that the Heisman has officially been given out to redshirt freshman QB Johnny Manziel (by the way that makes 5 years in a row I've successfully predicted the top 3 in the Heisman) it's time to look ahead to next year.  Who will bring home the hardware next year?  Will it be one of the favorites to start the season, or will we see somebody come out from nowhere again to win the award?  It's way too early to tell, but for fun let's take a look at what it could look like.

1.  Braxton Miller QB Ohio State
Why he could win:  Miller has some momentum.  As a sophomore he was dynamic in Urban Meyer's spread offense and was a huge reason why they finished 12-0.  Miller finished 5th in the 2013 Heisman voting and that was on a team that was on probation and couldn't play in the Big 10 Title Game, all of which didn't help generate any buzz for Miller.  With Ohio State now eligible, the Buckeyes will be the favorite to win the Big 10 and that only helps Miller.  Add in that he'll be a junior and a second full year in Meyer's system we could see a huge year out of him.

What stands in the way:  The schedule.  This could go either way.  An easy schedule will allow Miller to have gaudy numbers which will impress some voters.  However, most Heisman winners win the award because their performances against top level teams.  You don't get that against weak competition.  Injuries.  This is something that did hurt Miller this year.  Because of his style of play, Miller often got hit a lot and had to leave several games.  He can't do that if he wants to win a Heisman.

2.  Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
Why he could win:  He's already done it once, why can't he do it again?  Sounds simple.  Manziel had a huge year this year and only stands to improve.  He'll be in his second year in the system where his knowledge and skills will improve.  Playing in the SEC he'll get plenty of exposure (not that he doesn't now anyways) and will have plenty of chances to impress during conference play.

What stands in the way:  He's already won it once.  Only one other player in Heisman history has ever won the award twice.  Some have been finalists more than once, but only Archie Griffin has done it.  Because of that, some voters don't want somebody to win it again.  They know about him.  This sort of things happens all the time.  A guy has a breakout season and then the next year he is above average.  The SEC is full of good defensive coaches and they'll be more than ready for him next time around.  Injuries.  A player of Manziel's stature and the way he plays, he's bound to get banged up and could miss time.

3.  Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
Why he could win:  Year in and year out we are starting to see more defensive players as finalists.  One of these years we are going to see a defensive player win the award.  Could 2013 be the year?  If so, Clowney has a great shot.  He finished 6th this past year and is arguably one of the best defensive players in the country talent wise.  Clowney had 13 sacks last year and another year he could be even better.  As a defensive end he has the ability to dominant games.  Do that enough in the SEC and people take notice.

What stands in the way:  He plays defense.  Look how it took a freshman to win the award, it could be even longer for a defensive player to do so.  It may have to take a down year (much like this year) for somebody to break through.  Even Ndamukong Suh's huge 2008 year wasn't enough.  Cloweny also has to deal with offensives scheming to neutralize him.  It's much easier to take a defensive player out of the game than an offensive.

4.  Taylor Martinez QB Nebraska
Why he could win:  Experience.  Martinez is entering his fourth year as a starter.  Each year he has improved.  Next year is setting up pretty nicely for him.  Nebraska returns all their skill players which provide him the opportunity to have some monster games.  Their offense is built around him to be successful and if Taylor can continue to improve his throwing skills, the sky is the limit.

What stands in the way:  Inconsistency.  When Martinez is on, he's really good.  But when he's not there is a big difference.  Taylor struggles with turnovers and will force when pressed.  If he wants to win a Heisman and help his team win the conference he'll need to stop having so many peaks and valleys and show more consistency.  The rest usually takes care of its self.

5.  Jordan Lynch QB Northern Illinois
Why he could win:  The biggest reason why Northern Illinois will be playing in the Orange Bowl is because of their junior QB.  Lynch has be the catalyst of their offense.  He rushed for 1,771 yards and had 19 TDs while throwing for 2,962 yards and 24 TDs.  That is quite remarkable.  But it allow him to finish 7th overall in this past year's Heisman voting.  If he has a big game against Florida State's defensive  it can really set him up for a huge 2013.

What stands in the way:  Lack of exposure.  Many people have no idea who Jordan Lynch is.  Add in that he plays in the MAC and it's going to be near impossible for him to do it.  So he'll need to have a huge games when they get their most attention.  Add in that they'll need to go undefeated for him to even have a shot. 

Heisman Watch (Final)

The Heisman Presentation is only days away, players have been invited, and now we are going to find out who is going to with the 78th Heisman Trophy.  How will I do this year?  So far I've successfully predicted the top 3 of the Heisman four years running.  Will this be the 5th?  Lets find how where everybody is projected to fall.

1.  Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
Season Stats:   3,419 yards passing 24 TDs 8 INTs, 1181 yards rushing 19 TDs
Comments:  The winner of the 2012 Heisman Trophy will go to Johnny Manziel.  Manziel winning the award will make history as he will be the first freshman to win the award.  Manziel caught every body's attention with his dynamic play leading A&M's potent offense against some of the best defenses in the nation.  But it was after he lead A&M in an upset of then #1 Alabama which propelled him from a Heisman contender to leading the way.  Manzeil didn't play like a freshman, showing poise and leadership.  That was what helped the Aggies win 10 games in their first season in the SEC.  Also doesn't hurt that Manziel set the SEC record for most yards in a single season.  He should win going away.

2.  Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame

Season Stats:   101 tackles, 2 sacks, 7 INTs
Comments:  It looks like Te'o is going to finish 2nd in the voting, but I don't get it.  Te'o had a good year and is a great story.  But he still doesn't deserve to finish in the top 5.  There are players that were much more dominant or had better seasons.  What makes matters worse the arguments I see for Te'o focus on that he's the captain of the #1 team in the nation.  That their defense is one of the best, so because he's getting some first place votes.  If I'm not mistaken the Heisman is suppose to be going to the best player in college football.  Let's not go back to giving it to the best player on the best team.  Heck Luke Kuechly had a better year than Te'o, but because Boston College was horrible last year, he didn't sniff any Heisman talk.  Te'o is a stud, but he shouldn't be in this spot.

3.  Collin Klein QB Kansas State
Season Stats:   2,490 yards passing 15 TDs 7 INTs, 890 yards rushing 22 TDs
Comments:  I'm glad to see that Klein got invited to New York, but I still don't understand how Klein went from leading the race for most of the year, to having one bad game and now have him third on the list.  Do we forget that Klein was KState's offense.  He carried this team on his back and leading the Wildcats to an 11-1 record and even a #1 ranking at one point.  But that lost to Baylor was just too much to overcome.  It's too bad because the season that Klein had doesn't happen very often.

4.  Marqise Lee WR USC

Season Stats:   1,680 yards receiving 14 TDs
Comments:  Lee wasn't invited to the ceremony, but he'll still going to finish within the top 5 in voting.  Everybody knew that Lee was talented, but felt that teammate Robert Woods would be the star of this offense.  Instead it was Lee that dominated the competition on route to 1,680 yards which was second most in the nation.  That's quite the feat for a wide receiver in a pro style offense and with defenses schemed to stop him.  Lee also had 14 TDs on the season which was third most in the nation.  This is also the highest a wide receiver has finished in years.

5.  Braxton Miller QB Ohio State
Season Stats:   2,039 yards passing 15 TDs 6 INTs, 1,271 yards rushing 13 TDs
Comments:  Miller may finish in fifth place this year, but he should be a favorite to win the award one of the next two years.  Miller is the perfect quarterback for Urban Meyer's spread option system and it showed this year.  Miller was a dual threat for the Buckeye's offense that didn't have many play makers.  Miller was dangerous running the ball and often was able to change the momentum of a game with his long TD runs.  But him missing time in games due to injury and Ohio State not being able to play in the Big 10 Title Game hurt his chances of making a bigger impression on voters.

Heisman Watch (My vote)

This is different than my previous Heisman Watches because instead of ranking the player's chances at winning the Heisman, I'm listing how I'd vote (if I had a vote.  I will at some point!)  I'll have a prediction on who wins the Heisman later this week and extend my streak of successfully predicting the top 3 for four straight years.  Anyways here would be my ballot if I had one.

1.  Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M

Before Manziel began this year, A&M was know for being an underachieving program.  Always with a ton of potential to be great, they never were.  Manziel's talent and leadership really turned around this team and now are the hottest team in college football.  Manziel has been dynamic this year.  He has 4,600 total yards which set an SEC single season record.  Pair that up with his 43 TDs and it's hard not see why everybody loves him.  Even as a freshman he is the best player in the country and would end up being the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.  I wonder what his next three years will bring.

2.  Collin Klein QB Kansas State
It's a shame that everybody is forgetting about Collin Klein.  Klein was the favorite for most of the season, but a sort of bad game in a loss against Baylor and he gets dropped in people's minds.  Yeah Manziel deserves it more than he does, but Klein desrves 2nd place.  Just looking at the KState team and you'll see that Klein meant so much to them.  He was their offense.  He had 37 TDs on the year.  3,380 combined yards.  Quite impressive considering that opposing defenses knew exactly what he was going to do, but still couldn't stop it.  But it's too bad he won't finish 2nd, mainly because he plays at KState.

3.  Jarvis Jones OLB Georgia
You aren't seeing Jones in any finalists lists for the Heisman, but that's a shame.  The award is suppose to go to the best player in college football this year and Jones is one of them.  Manti Te'o is getting a lot of hype about possibility of winning the Heisman Trophy and I don't get it.  Te'o is good, but he's getting attention because how good the Irish defense is.  Jones has been the far better player.  Jones has 12.5 sacks, 19 QB hurries, 7 forced fumbles, and 1 INT on the year.  Jones has just dominated games.  Against Missouri he was a one man wrecking crew.  You can't say that about Te'o.  Sure he may have more tackles, but Jones has been one of the most dominate players this year.

4.  Marqise Lee WR USC

Going into the season it was his teammate Robert Woods that was getting all the attention.  But it was Lee who really shined this year despite the struggles of his own team.  Lee was dynamic all season long, hauling in 112 receptions for 1680 yards.  That's astonishing considering the Trojans liked to run the ball.  Heck they even had him working at CB in practice because of the lack of depth and poor play there.  Lee is clearly one of the top 5 players in the country and I'd have no issues with him finishing higher either.  Defenses just had no answer for him.

5.  Braxton Miller QB Ohio State
Even though Ohio State finished 12-0 and Braxton Miller finished one heck of a sophomore year.  Could you imagine how much better they could be with more weapons on offense?  But I guess that goes to show how good of a season Miller truly had.  Miller finished with 3,310 total yards of offense and 28 touchdowns.  He did this with defenses knowing he was going to have the ball in his hands.  Miller could be higher on this list.  But his final couple of games he was just average.  You wonder if the Buckeyes would have been able to play in the Big 10 Title game could have put him higher on the list?  Who knows.

Heisman Watch (Week 13)

1.  Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
Last Week:   372 yards passing 3 TDs 1 INT, 67 yards rushing 2 TDs vs Missouri (59-29)  Next Game:  Bowl Game
Comments:  Remember a couple of years ago when Cam Newton ran wild in the SEC and broke the SEC single game yardage record?  Remember he won the Heisman running away?  Well with this recent game, Johnny Manziel just broke Newton's single season yardage record.  Pretty amazing for anybody, let alone a freshman.  With his 439 yard output against Missouri it could have cemented his candidacy for the Heisman Trophy.  A&M not playing this week does hurt him a little, but with nobody else on this list besides Klein playing next week.  It shouldn't hurt him too much.  We could have another anti climatic Heisman Race.

2.  Collin Klein QB Kansas State
Last Week:  Bye  Next Week: vs Texas
Comments:  Losing against Baylor and then having a bye week right after it can't help Klein's chances at winning the award.  Especially since Johnny Maziel has just taken off.  That's too bad because Klein has had an outstanding year and helped carry the Wildcats to the verge of the National Championship game.  But unlike the rest of the guys in the Heisman Race, Klein is the only one with a game left on the schedule and if he has a huge game against Texas, he could make giving out this award a lot tougher on voters.

3.  Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame

Last Week: 5 tackles 1 INT at USC (22-13)
Next Game:  BCS Championship Game

Comments:  Te'o has been a force for the Notre Dame defense all season long.  Te'o's 5 tackles put him over 100 tackles on the season (and for the third straight season).  Te'o also registered his 7th INT for the seasons which is quite the feat for a linebacker.  He also benefit's from Notre Dame being #1 and going to the BCS National Championship.  Something that only he can claim. 

4.  Braxton Miller QB Ohio State
Last Week:  189 yards passing 1 TD, 57 yards rushing vs Michigan (26-21)  Next Game:  Season Completed
Comments:  Braxton Miller didn't have a huge game against rival Michigan in his final game of the season, but he did help the Buckeye's get the win and finish with a perfect 12-0 record.  But even with the average game, it's hard to ignore the impact he has had on this undefeated team.  On a team that didn't have many impact players, it was Miller who carried the load game in and game out.  He used both his arm and feet to rack up the yards and get points on the board.

5.  Marqise Lee WR USC

Last Week:  5 receptions for 75 yards O TDs vs Notre Dame (13-22)  Next Game:  Bowl Game
Comments:  Marquise Lee didn't have a big game against Notre Dame's elite defense, but Lee also was dealing with a backup QB and not Matt Barkley.  Still with constant double teams and added focus against him, Lee was able to get 75 yards and make an impact.  It's also hard to ignore the season that Lee has had.  He's totaled up 1,680 yard receiving and 14 TDs.  Pretty amazing no matter the situation.  Lee won't win the Heisman, but he is clearly one of the top 5 players this year and should be in New York for the Heisman Ceremony.

Heisman Watch (Week 12)

1.  Collin Klein QB Kansas State
Last Week:  286 yards passing 2 TDs 3 INTs, 39 yards rushing 1 TD at Baylor (24-52)  Next Week: Bye
Comments:  It was an all around bad day for everybody involved with the KState football program.  Not only did their perfect season and shot at a National Title hopes go up in flames, but Collin Klein had a clunker of a game.  Now he didn't lose his lead in the race, and is still the favorite to win the award.  But the gap between him and the rest of the field is a lot narrower now.  Luckily for him there really isn't anybody knocking at the door.  But he'll need to finish the season strong or somebody could find their way into the discussion for the award.

2.  Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
Last Week:   267 yards passing 3 TDs 1 INT, 100 yards rushing 2 TDs vs Sam Houston State (47-28)  Next Week:  vs Missouri Comments:  Another quality game for Manziel and the Aggies as they trounced FCS Sam Houston State.  Manziel was his normal having 367 combined yards and 4 TDs.  This was a great showing especially with KState QB Collin Klein struggles against Baylor.  This performance closes the gap between the two, but is it enough to get him some votes?  Not being able to play in the conference championship game hurts.  But you also have to wonder if him being a freshman will hurt his chances too?  Remember when Tim Tebow got the award as a sophomore and people having a problem with it?  Who knows, but it's hard not to argue with Manziel's season and impact.

3.  Kenjon Barner RB Oregon
Last Week:  66 yards rushing 0 TDs, 13 yards receiving 0 TDs vs Stanford (14-17)  Next Week:  at Oregon State
Comments:  This is two straight weeks of clunkers for Barner.  After an impressive 321 yard rushing day against USC, he's kinda fallin off.  He only had 63 yards against Cal and now in their loss to Stanford, Barner was unable to do anything and finished with only 79 total yards of offense.  Ouch!  His Heisman chances were remote, but it's beginning to look like he's out of the running.  But you could say that about anybody besides Collin Klein and Johnny Manziel.  Barner just has to hope that he has two monster games left and Klein and Manziel have a couple of clunkers.  But that doesn't look likely.  But he should still get an invite to New York.

4.  Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame

Last Week:  6 tackles vs Wake Forrest (38-0)
Next Week:  at USC

Comments:  It wasn't a spectucular game against Wake Forrest, but that was expected as Notre Dame was clearly the better team.  Te'o finished with 6 tackles but didn't play much into the 4th quarter.  Te'o's final game to impress is this upcoming weekend agaisnt USC.  But with USC being down a big game won't have the same impact it did a couple of weeks ago.  Te'o's chances of winning the Heisman are slim at best, even with being on the #1 ranked team in the BCS.  But as a defender and not having a "dominant" season it was going to be hard to get enough votes.  Even in this down year.

5.  Braxton Miller QB Ohio State
Last Week:  97 yards passing 0 TDs, 48 yards 0 TDs at Wisconsin (21-14) Next Week: vs Michigan
Comments:  Much like the guys ahead of him, Miller didn't have an impressive Saturday.  Against a good Wisconsin team, Miller only had 145 total yards and 0 TDs.  Not what we are use to seeing out of Miller this year.  But the Buckeyes got the win and that's all that matters.  Now Miller looks to the Michigan game to end the season.  Much like Barner and Te'o, Miller's chances of winng the award is long gone, but a good showing aganist the Wolverines and Miller should find himself in New York for the ceremony.  This could also give him some momentum for next year as he should be one of the favorites.

Heisman Watch (Week 10)

1.  Collin Klein QB Kansas State
Last Week:  245 yards passing 0 TDs, 64 yards rushing 1 TD vs Oklahoma State (44-30)  Next Week: vs at TCU
Comments:  Klein was off to his typical big game, he had 310 total yards and a TD midway through the 3rd quarter.  However Klein took an awkward hit and never returned to the game.  It didn't look bad, but KState doesn't disclose injuries so it's up in the air how bad the injury is and if Klein is going to miss next weeks game.  However Klein was observed on the sideline laughing and not showing any ill affects.  So maybe they took him out just to prevent anything worse happening.  Because if Klein can't go, neither will this team.

2.  Kenjon Barner RB Oregon
Last Week:  38 carries for 321 yards rushing 5 TD vs USC (62-51)  Next Week:  at California
Comments:  If you didn't know Kenjon Barner before this week, you sure know him now.  In Oregon's route over USC Barner set a Oregon single game record with 321 yards rushing.  He also did it on 8 yards per carry.  That's impressive on it's own.  While teammate De'Anthony Thomas has gotten a lot more Heisman hype, it's been Barner who has been the one who has stood out game in and game out.  Barner had 1,295 yards rushing so far this season and 19 TDs.  With games against Stanford, Oregon State, and likely USC again look for Barner to have some more highlights when the spotlight is on.

3.  Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame

Last Week:  7 tackles, 1 pass breakup, 1 sack vs Pittsburgh (29-26)
Next Week:  at Boston College 

Comments: It wasn't the best games for Te'o and the Golden Domer's, but they escaped the Pitt game with a with and that's what really counts.  Te'o didn't have a huge impact statically with only 7 tackles and a sack.  But Te'o was always in the mix and helped the Fighting Irish buckle down in the second half and overtime to give their offense a chance to come back.  This next weekend they'll travel to Boston College where Te'o probably won't be on the field too much because BC isn't very good.  If Te'o wants to be the first defensive player to win the Heisman, he'll need a couple huge games coming up.  

4.  AJ McCarron QB Alabama
Last Week:   165 yards passing 1 TD, 1 rushing TD at LSU (21-17)  Next Week:  vs Texas A&M

Comments:  This wasn't McCarron's best game of the year, but when Alabama needed him to step up, he did so.  Down three with in the final minutes McCarron lead the Crimson Tide down the field before finding RB TJ Yeldon on a 28 yard pass to win the game.  The win allows Alabama to stay undefeated and keep their chances of an undefeated season alive.  McCarron although statstically wasn't good, keeps his slim Heisman chances alive.  Without that last TD drive, McCarron would have been out of the race.  But other former SEC Heisman Winners have won the award in the final weeks.  Can McCarron do that too?

5.  Braxton Miller QB Ohio State
Last Week:  226 yards passing 2 TDs, 73 yards rushing 1 TD vs Illinois (52-22)  Next Week: Bye
Comments:  Not a whole lot to say about this Miller this week.  The Buckeyes faced an Illinois team that has quit on the season.  Miller did what he needed to do and got out without getting injuried.  He had 299 combined yards and 3 TDs.  Miller continues to play at a high level, but there really isn't a whole lot of talk about it.  Having a bye next week doesn't help out either.  But there game against Michigan coming up could really do wonders for his Heisman chances.

Others to Watch

7.  Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
8.  Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville 

Heisman Watch (Week 9)

1.  Collin Klein QB Kansas State
Last Week: 233 yards passing 2 TDs, 83 yards rushing 2 TDs vs Texas Tech (55-24)  Next Week: vs Oklahoma State
Comments:  After turning in a dominant performance against West Virginia, Optimis Klein continued the momentum and helped the Wildcats dominate top 20 Texas Tech.  Klein was his old self 316 total yards and 4 TDs.  Their win also propels the Wildcats up the rankings are in the thick of the National Title picture.  This also ehances Klein's Heisman bid.  Things should get easier for Klein and KState as they face off against an Oklahoma State team that is in all sorts of disarray.

2.  Braxton Miller QB Ohio State
Last Week:  143 yards passing 1 TD 1 INT, 134 yards rushing 2 TDs at Penn State (35-23)  Next Week: vs Illinois
Comments:  Would Braxton Miller's season be bigger news if Ohio State wasn't on propation.  If they weren't ineligible for post season?  But it's hard to ignore the season that he is having.  Against a Penn State team that was playing at a high level, Miller was just as good.  He had a combined 277 yards and 3 TDs.  Miller showed no ill affects from his injury he suffered against Purdue.  Miller continues to be the only offensive threat for the Buckeyes and continues to lead them to an undefeated record and if they were eligible they'd more than likely be top 10 in the BCS rankings.

3.  Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame

Last Week:  11 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT vs Oklahoma (30-13)  Next Week:  vs Pittsburgh 

Comments:  It seems like there is a defensive player every year that is in the final Heisman voting.  Ndamukong Suh finished 4th in 2009 while Tyrann Mathieu finished 5th last year.  This year it is Manti Te'o who is making a huge impact.  With Notre Dame having their best season in decades, it's Te'o who has been the leader on one of the best defenses in the nation.  This was evident against Oklahoma where Te'o was all over the field with 11 tackles a sack and even had an interception.  With Notre Dame continuing to be undefeated, it's clear that Te'o is their best player.

4.  AJ McCarron QB Alabama
Last Week:   16/23 208 yards 2 TDs vs Mississippi State (38-7)  Next Week:  at LSU

Comments:  Because Alabama has such a good defense and a stable of running backs that would make an NFL team jealous.  AJ McCarron has this misconception that he is just a game manager.  Any why not.  The Crimson Tide run the ball a lot and all the previous Tide QBs under Nick Saban have been game managers.  But McCarron isn't.  McCarron used last year's National Title Game as his coming out part and it's continued into this year.  McCarron averages 210 yards passing and it could more if Alabama opened up the offense.  McCarron has also thrown for 18 TDs while having 0 INTs.  McCarron probably won't win the Heisman, but he'll likely be a finalist.

5.  Geno Smith QB West Virginia

Last Week:  Bye  Next Week:  vs TCU
Comments:  West Virginia's bye week couldn't have come at a better time.  After cruising through their first 5 games, Geno Smith and the Mountaineers were rolling.  But after two blowout losses to Texas Tech and Kansas State, they now looking for answers.  Smith isn't out of the race quite yet.  But two bad weeks and a bye aren't helping him out either.  We do have to remember that RG3 won the award last year and the Bears had 3 losses.  So Smith just needs to take this weekend to get things back in the right direction and back to his old ways.

Others to Watch

7.  Kenjon Barner RB Oregon
8.  De'Anthony Thomas WR/RB Oregon

Heisman Watch (Week 8)

1.  Collin Klein QB Kansas State
Last Week: 19/21 323 yards passing 3 TDs passing, 41 yards rushing 4 TDs at West Virginia (55-14)  Next Week: vs Texas Tech
Comments:  All season long Collin Klein has been on the door step waiting to burst through the door.  Well KState's prime time win over West Virginia was Klein's coming out party.  Klein hasn't had "huge" numbers for most of the season, but that stopped here.  Against the Mountaineers Klein had 364 combined yards and 7 TDs.  Heck Klein completed all but 2 of his passes.  That is flat out remarkable.  It's games like this that get voter's attention and could end with Klein winning KState's first Heisman Trophy.  But the Wildcats can't overlook their next opponent, Texas Tech, who has been on quite the roll themselves.

2.  Geno Smith QB West Virginia

Last Week:  21/32 143 yards 1 TD 2 INTs vs Kansas State (14-55)  Next Week:  Bye
Comments:  After dazzling college football in his early season, Smith has had two clunkers of games and his strangle hold on the Heisman Race is long gone.  Against KState Smith was looking to rebound after the Texas Tech loss, but was unable to do so.  Smith not only threw his first two INTs of the season, but he was only able to lead the offense to 14 points and lost the game.  Smith hasn't looked like the same player that he did in the early season.  His accuracy is down and he just looks average.  What is worse is that West Virginia is now on a bye week and Smith can't get back out there to get some momentum going.  We could have just witnessed Geno Smith's Heisman season end.

3.  Braxton Miller QB Ohio State
Last Week:  9/20 113 yards passing 0 TDs 1 INT, 47 yards rushing 1 TD vs Purdue (29-22)  Next Week: at Penn State
Comments:  This is not the way Braxton Miller wanted the Purdue game to go.  Not only did he not have a great game with less than 200 yards of total offense but Miller left the game and had to be taken to the hospital.  Miller has since been released but his availability in the Penn State game is still undetermined.  None the less Braxton struggled against a solid Purdue defense and never really had the same game that he did against Nebraska or Indiana.  But if he's available to play against Penn State, he'll have a shot to make a strong impression against a very very talented Penn State team.

4.  Matt Barkley QB USC

Last Week:   19/20 298 yards passing 6 TDs vs Colorado (50-6)  Next Week:  at Arizona
Comments:  Are we going to look back to this game and say it was the one that got Barkley going in the right direcetion?  After struggled through most of the season, Barkley was dynamite and in doing so broke a couple of records.  His 95% completion percentage broke Rick Neuheisel's record while his 6 passing TDs helped him break Matt Leinart's Pac 12 record for career TDs.  Not too bad for a guy that has been struggling for most of the year.  And this couldn't come at a better time as the Trojans are about to enter the strength of their schedule.  They travel to Arizona this next weekend, but they still have games against Oregon, Notre Dame, UCLA, and probably Oregon again.  Barkley's shot at the Heisman is still a long shot, but he could pull something off with a great end to the season.



5.  De'Anthony Thomas WR/RB Oregon
Last Week:  25 yards rushing 0 TDs, 4 yards receiving 0 TDs vs Arizona State (43-21)  Next Week:  vs Colorado
Comments:  Thomas hasn't had the season many thought he would after dazzling as a freshman last year.  Even in their route of Arizona the young weapon accounted for less than 30 yards.  The only reason that Thomas is still in the race is because there really isn't a large pool of players standing out.  Plus Thomas has the ability to break out during some big time games towards the end of the season.  But Thomas better start going, because he is starting to slide down the rankings.

Others to Watch

6.  Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame
7.  Kenjon Barner RB Oregon
8.  Seth Doege QB Texas Tech

Heisman Watch (Week 4)

1.  Geno Smith QB West Virginia

Last Week:  30/43 338 3 TDs vs Maryland (31-21)  Next Week:  vs Baylor
Comments: It wasn't the video game numbers that Geno Smith has been putting up lately, but Smith was still spectacular in West Virginia's win over Maryland.  His 338 yards helped shred the Terrapin defense and help the Mountaineers improve their record to 3-0.  Smith continues to play at a high level and is clearly the front runner to win the award.  Right now there really isn't a close #2.  But it won't get any easier for West Virginia.  Big 12 conference play starts this weekend and Smith won't have to face any elite defenses, but they are still a lot better than anything he has seen so far.  But if he keeps up this pace he'll be fine.

2.  Collin Klein QB Kansas State
Last Week: 13/21 149 0 TDs, 79 yards rushing 1 TD vs O (24-19)  Next Week: vs Kansas
Comments:  In typical Collin Klein fashion, it wasn't pretty but the Wildcats and Klein got the job done.  Klein's stats where not amazing, but he did have a combined 228 yards, but the big thing was getting the victory over top 10 rated Oklahoma.  The win vaults KState up the rankings and showcases Klein to the national stage.  The win also avenges the Wildcats 41 point loss to the Sooners last year.  Things do get easier for Klein and the Wildcats this week as they face off against in state rival Kansas.  The Jayhawks are awful this year and should allow Klein to put up some gaudy numbers.

3.  Le'Veon Bell RB Michigan State
Last Week:  36 carries 253 yards 1 TD vs Eastern Michigan (23-7) Next Week:  vs Ohio State

Comments:  The Spartans struggled against lowly MAC Eastern Michigan, but it wasn't at any fault to Le'Veon Bell.  Despite an inability to put Eastern Michigan out of the game early, Bell was at his best rushing for 253 yards and a touchdown.  This performance is just what Bell needed to stay in the hunt for the Heisman.  He has a long ways to go to get back to being one of the favorites, but their game against Ohio State this week could give him that national boost that he needs.  And the way Ohio State's defense has been playing, Bell has as good of a chance as anybody.



4.  EJ Manuel QB Florida State
Last Week:  27/35 380 2 TDs vs Clemson (49-37)  Next Week:  at South Florida
Comments:   With Florida State needing to seize the opportunity against Clemson, the senior QB stepped up.  Manuel threw for 380 yards and rushed for 102.  The Seminoles needed every bit of those yards to out score the Tigers high flying offense.  Not only did Manuel throw for a bunch of yards, but he was just as lethal with his feet.  Manuel was a dark horse candidate to win the award, but after the Seminoles big victory over Clemson and Manuel's performance, he is now thrust into contention.  Especially with the race so wide open.  Florida State has an easy schedule ahead of them with only Virginia Tech and Florida being possible ranked teams.  If the Seminoles can get through the season unscathed, Manuel has a great opportunity to make some noise in the Heisman Race.

5.  Matt Barkley QB USC

Last Week:  22/34 192 2 TDs 2 INTs, 102 yards rushing vs California (27-9)  Next Week:  at Utah
Comments:  Looking to bounce back from their big loss to Stanford, Barkley was able to lead the Trojans to victory, but he didn't look good doing so.  With the emphasis put on the run game it came at the cost of Matt Barkley.  Not only did Barkley throw for less than 200 yards, but he threw 2 picks also.  Those aren't terrible numbers, but it's not like he was very efficient.  Barkley still has an outside shot at winning the Heisman Trophy, but his national perception isn't the greatest.  He'll have to clean his game up and elevate his passing numbers.

Others to Watch

6.  Jonathan Franklin RB UCLA
7.  De'Anthony Thomas RB/WR Oregon
8.  Braxton Miller QB Ohio State

Heisman Watch (Week 3)

1.  Geno Smith QB West Virginia

Last Week:  34/39 411 yards 5 TDs vs James Madison (42-12) Next Week:  vs Maryland
Comments: We were beginnnig to see a trend in Heisman Winners.  The trophy was going to the top player on one of the teams in the National Title game.  Last year that trend was broken by RG3 mainly because he had such a great season compared to everybody else.  Could we see that this year with Geno Smith?  I don't see West Virvinia making it to the Nationa Championship, but it's going to be hard to think of anybody else playing as good as Smith.  Against James Madison Smith was flawless.  He completed 87% of his passes (88% on the season) and threw for 411 yards and 5 TDs.  That is just flat remarkable.  I don't see an end in sight.  Next week they play Maryland who is bad, and then the Big 12 isn't known for lock down defeneses.  With all the turmoil in college football, could we see Smith running away with this?

2.  Matt Barkley QB USC

Last Week:  20/41 254 yards O TDs 2 INTs vs Stanford (14-21)  Next Week:  vs California
Comments:  It was a bad day for Barkley and the Trojans.  In their first real test of the season they failed to get enough offense to get the victory.  Even though he had 254 yards Barkley struggled and made some poor decisons that cost them the victory.  Mainly him taking 2 sacks on the final drive and throwing the final pass out of bounds.  Add in his 2 INTs and it's not a grea day for the Heisman favorite.  Now Barkley's chances of winning the award are not gone.  But he'll have to have a steller rest of the season including a couple of big wins against Oregon, Arizona, and Notre Dame.  Otherwise it's going to be tough sailing.

3.  Colin Klein QB Kansas State
Last Week: 15/20 230 2 TDs 1 INT, 85 yards rushing 1 TD vs North Texas (35-21)  Next Week: @ Oklahoma
Comments:  The rest of the KState team may have looked sloppy against North Texas, but Colin Klein just keeps rolling.  Klein had a combined 315 yards and 3 TDs and was a clutch when the Wildcats needed him the most.  However if Klein wants a realistic shot of winning the Heisman, he's going to need a huge game this next week against top 10 ranked Oklahoma.  A big game here and a win could thrust Klein right up there with Geno Smith as the new favorites.  A dud for a game could end his chances.

4.  Le'Veon Bell RB Michigan State
Last Week:  19 carries for 77 yards, 20 yards receiving vs Notre Dame (3-20) Next Week:  vs Eastern Michigan

Comments:  The stage was set for Bell to really get his Heisman chances rolling.  However being blown out by Notre Dame has put a damper on his momentum.  However it's not really all his fault.  Without any semblance of a passing attack, Notre Dame was able to load up the box and put their focus onto Bell.  Le'Veon did get 77 yards, but wasn't able to find the endzone.  But the bright side is that even after the loss, Michigan State is still one of the top teams in the Big 10 and he'll have plenty more opprotunities to get some of the voters back on his side.

5.  Dennard Robinson QB Michigan
Last Week:  16/24 291 yards passing 3 TDs 1 INT, 106 yards rushing 1 TD vs UMass (63-13)  Next Week:  @ Notre Dame
Comments:  Robinson did what was expected of him in this game.  Passed and rushed for a combined 397 yards and 4 TDs against a UMass team in their first year as a FBS program.  Now the attention should focus onto their game at Notre Dame.  If Dennard still has a shot at winning the Heisman he'll need a huge game and win over the Irish.  Doing that will go a long ways in helping people forget about his week 1 disaster against Alabama.  But if he has a similar game against Notre Dame, it's bye bye to any Heisman talk.

Others to Watch

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6.  Jonathan Franklin RB UCLA
7.  De'Anthony Thomas RB/WR Oregon
8.  Everett Golson QB Notre Dame